Okanagan Echo Civic Series: Julia Fraser
Okanagan Echo asked all 11 women running for council the same four questions about why they’re running, the priorities they would bring to City Hall, the experience they offer and what they want residents to know before voting.
Kelowna voters will head to the polls on October 17, 2026, to elect a mayor and eight city councillors. The official field includes 37 candidates for council, including the 11 women featured here. Advance voting begins October 7.
Julia Fraser has served as an elected trustee with Central Okanagan Public Schools for 15 years and is currently Board Chair. During her time on the Board of Education, she has also served as Vice Chair and chaired board committees, building experience in public governance, strategic and capital planning, policy development, community consultation and oversight of large public budgets. Before and alongside her public service, she built a 30-year career in business-to-business sales and studied economics at UBC.
Here are Julia Fraser’s responses.
OE: What made you decide to run for Kelowna City Council in 2026?
JF: After 15 years serving as a locally elected School Trustee, I decided to run for City Council because I want to continue serving the community I call home. Kelowna is growing quickly, and the decisions made today will shape what kind of city we leave for the next generation.
My husband and I raised our family here, and our daughter is now a young adult. I want Kelowna to remain a community where young people can afford to live, build careers, raise families and one day choose to retire.
I believe my experience in elected governance, business, budgeting, advocacy and public consultation can contribute to the work ahead. I am running because I care deeply about this community and believe I still have something meaningful to contribute through public service.
OE: What are the three issues you believe should be priorities for the next council?
JF: My three priorities are affordability and responsible growth, public safety, and accountable government.
Kelowna needs more housing options while ensuring growth is supported by the roads, transportation, parks, recreation and other infrastructure residents rely on. We also need to be mindful of affordability, including the impact of property taxes and the cost of living.
Public safety requires both enforcement and prevention. We need to address property crime, visible street disorder, homelessness, mental health and addictions with a combination of appropriate enforcement, treatment, supportive services and housing.
Finally, residents deserve transparent and accountable decision-making. I believe strongly in meaningful public consultation. Residents should have opportunities to be heard before major decisions are made, and Council should clearly explain how and why those decisions were reached.
OE: What experience or perspective would you bring to council?
JF: I bring 15 years of elected governance experience as a School Trustee, including serving as Board Chair and currently chairing Finance and Planning for a budget of more than $400 million. That experience has taught me how to read complex reports, ask informed questions, oversee budgets, develop policy, engage the public and hold senior leadership accountable.
I also bring 30 years of business-to-business sales experience, including 15 years as a Regional Sales Manager for a locally owned BC hotel company. That gave me firsthand experience with tourism, economic development, customer service, negotiation and the challenges businesses face.
Most importantly, I understand the distinction between governance and operations. An effective councillor sets direction, asks difficult questions, listens to residents and makes evidence-based decisions while allowing professional staff to do their jobs.
OE: What is one thing you want Kelowna residents to understand about you before they cast their ballots?
JF: I want residents to know that I will listen before I decide.
Throughout my 15 years as a School Trustee, some of the most important decisions I have been part of followed extensive public consultation. I believe elected officials should approach consultation with an open mind rather than with the decision already made.
I am independent, and my responsibility will be to the residents of Kelowna. I am not running to represent a company, developer, organization or another candidate. I will not promise that everyone will agree with every decision I make. What I can promise is that I will do my homework, ask questions, consider the evidence, listen respectfully to different perspectives and explain my decisions.
For me, public service is about earning and maintaining the trust of the people you represent.
Explore the full Civic Series This interview is part of Okanagan Echo’s 2026 Civic Series featuring the women running for Kelowna City Council. Visit the main series page to read the profiles and responses from all 11 candidates.
Okanagan Echo thanks all participating candidates for sharing their time and perspectives with residents.
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